Page 194 of Arturo's Temptation

My mother and brothers took their seats with Valencia as I began my walk down the aisle towards the love of my life.

ARTURO

As Isabella steppedthrough the doors out into the garden my heart stopped. She looked absolutely stunning, dressed head to toe in white lace. It was everything I could have imagined her in and more. I already knew she was an angel, but today cemented that for me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Today I would get to call her my wife.

Mrs Isabella Ramos… It was about damn time.

The past year with my girls had been a complete whirlwind, not knowing what I’d get from one day to the next, but there was no way I’d change it. They were the light of my life, my lifelines, my whole fucking world. I had no idea what I had done to get so lucky. The woman walking towards me had seen all my demons, all my mistakes and regrets up close and still she’d not run. Where others would have judged and turned their back on me, she looked at me like I was the only thing that existed, even after everything Maria had done to her.

Before I knew it, Lorenzo was placing Bella’s hand in my own, but not before a few threatening words. He just couldn’t help himself…

“Look after her, Ramos.” he warned. “Hurt her, and I’ll have buried in a headstoneless grave.”

“Mhm, with my life, Ricci.” I winked, pulling Bella into my side. “You ready to become mine?”

“I always have been,” she smiled, giving me the look I adored.

We turned to face the registrar as he spoke, but honestly? I couldn’t hear a damn word he was saying, I was too busy admiring Bella and she knew it as she blushed under my gaze.

“Arturo, please recite your vows,” the registrar prompted.

“My love, I could stand here all day listin’ every reason why I love you and still not get tired of doin’ so.” I smiled, as did she. “I thought love wasn't for me. I thought it wasn’t worth it but that all changed the night I met you. You proved me wrong, you’re the only one who’s ever been able to show me the lightness in the dark that I’d chased for so long. You’re the only one who’s stood by me no matter what and tackled my battles with me head on,” I breathed. “Not many would have done it, and even if they had, they would never have succeeded.” I brought her knuckles to my lips, making our family and friends swoon. “You’re an amazin’ mother, and Valencia and I are so lucky to have you in our corner and in our life.Gracias por ayudarme a respirar de nuevo, te amo.”

I lifted my thumb to carefully wipe away the tears she’d allowed to fall as she tried to compose herself.

“Isabella, please now recite your vows,” the registrar smiled.

“Arturo, I can’t deny that I tried so incredibly hard to hate you in the beginning.” The guests let out a bout of laughter as I grinned. “But no matter how hard we tried to push one another away, we kept finding our way back to where we belonged. You were the other half of me I never knew was missing. The one my heart craved and yearned for.” I cupped her face, still wiping away the falling tears. “Arturo Ramos, you brought me to life.You showed me what it’s like to love and to be loved. And I promise to love and cherish you until I’m no longer able to.”

“Do you, Arturo Ramos, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?” The words were music to my ears.

“Too bloody right I do.” I beamed, as did Bella. A chuckle from my soon-to-be father-in-law made me grin even harder.

“Do you, Isabella Ricci, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?” The registrar repeated.

“Of course, I do.”

We exchanged rings, hers a delicate diamond band while mine was heavy and made of thick white gold.

“By the authority vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Arturo, you may kiss your bride.”

About damn time.

I claimed her lips, our tongues clashing gently with one another as we forgot about the guests that erupted behind us.

She was officially mine just as I was hers.

With the firstdance and cutting of the cake complete, Bella led me through to the house. I had no idea what she had planned or where we were going, but one thing I did know was howincredibly fucking hot her arse looked in the jumpsuit she’d changed into.

“My love, what’s goin’ on?” I asked, arching my brow.

“Close your eyes,” she demanded, her hands covering them before I’d even got the chance to do as I was told. She ushered me out of what I guessed was the front door, her perfume invading my senses as we stepped onto the gravel.

“Bella, can I look now?”

She reached up and whispered in my ear.“Remember I told you when we were at the cabin that I knew what I would give you as a wedding gift?”

“I do.”

---